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Wii Launch List

Wii Launch Games

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam

What They Say: For the first time ever, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam lets players experience the breakneck speed of downhill skateboard racing as they tear up the steepest terrains in the world while performing tricks and outmaneuvering opponents in locations such as the crowded streets of San Francisco and rocky terrain of Machu Picchu. Developed for the Nintendo Wii, gamers utilize an innovative and intuitive control system as they take on the role of Tony Hawk or one of nine characters and compete in specific time-based challenges in one of three gameplay modes including race, trick and slalom. Gamers can also challenge friends in head-to-head competitions as they pull off a variety of high-velocity stunts and crashes in living, populated environments filled with cars, pedestrians and buildings.

What We Say: Players eager to play a game that more resembles the golden age Tony Hawk games (ahem...1999), will be sure to get a kick out of Downhill Jam. Part THPS, part mad-racer, Downhill Jam looks like it will deliver on its promise of extreme entertainment. We had a chance to test out THDJ this past month and we have to say that we're itching to get our hands back on the wiimote and our feet back on the board. If you've ever played a Tony Hawk game, trust us when we say you've never played one like this. Toys For Bob has created a skateboarding game where literally anyone can pick up the controller and play. Using the face buttons for various stunts, gamers actually tilt the wiimote to move throughout the game world. At the Activision event even journalists who hadn't played Tony Hawk before (Who are these guys anyway and how did they get a job in the gaming industry?) could easily pick up and play the game and actually compete without feeling like complete noobs. Translated that means that everyone can get in on the action. Hey, if a game reviewer can play it, you KNOW it's got to be easy.

We're jazzed at what we consider to be a return of the classic Hawk game with a twist of that SSX-style extremism. Bring it on!

Features:

Choose Tony Hawk or another colorful character: Players can choose to play as Tony Hawk or one of eight original characters. In addition they can create their own character with the Create-A-Skater feature.

Arcade-style racing: Players can crouch for more speed, jump or grind over obstacles and pull off all of their favorite air tricks to gain boost as they race down the steepest terrains in the world.

Ride a variety of skateboards: Players choose from a wide variety of skateboards such as current, old school “fishtails,” longboards and 70’s skateboards, all of which have different attributes that will have an effect on gameplay.

Create-A-Skater: Fans create and customize their own skater with the quick and easy customization menu that allows them to instantly preview items and see them on their skater.

Interact with objects and other skaters in the street:

Dodge vehicles and pedestrians

Crash through destructible areas and objects

Find shortcuts and save time by using signs and other objects

Knock down your opponents to get ahead

Head-to-head gameplay: Players can challenge friends in split screen competitions in a variety of modes: Race, Trick Attack, Slalom and Event.

Trauma Center: Second Opinion

What They Say: This robust “Wii-make” of Under the Knife features new graphics and animation; new and remixed musical themes; new surgical implements and operation types; a second playable character with all-new missions; multiple difficulty modes for gamers of all skill levels; and a revised control system that takes full advantage of the revolutionary Wii Remote.

What We Say: Atlus's Trauma Center on the DS turned a lot of heads with its unique gameplay and we're confident the Wii-make of Under The Knife will thrill both fans and new recruits to the series. While performing surgery doesn't seem all that interesting, when you factor in the interactive control of the wii-mote for such procedures as stitching, cutting and liposuction (that would be cool, but it's probably not in the game) Trauma Center could be just the thing your new Wii system is crying out for. We're definitely down with TC and can't wait to get back into the operating room with Dr. Stiles and company. Let the malpractice suits begin!

Wii Sports

What They Say: Wii Sports offers five distinct sports experiences, each using the Wii Remote to provide a natural, intuitive and realistic feel. Players can use their own Mii caricatures in the game and play them against their friends’ Miis for a more personalized experience. As players improve, their Miis’ skill levels will increase, so that they can see exactly how much better they’ve become.

What We Say: All hail the return of the pack in game! That's right. Wii Sports will be packaged with every Wii system sold. You won't have to buy the "Premium Pack" to get it. There is NO Premium Pack. Buy a Wii system, get Wii Sports! That's it. I know it's hard to understand after all these years of getting screwed over by game companies too cheap to put in a free game, but Nintendo has made things right again. Of course, it would have been nicer had they put in, oh, I don't know, maybe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but perhaps we shouldn't complain.

Wii Sports might not look like much, it might feature graphics that would look more at home on the N64, but trust us when we say that anyone who sees it in action will want to pick up the wii-mote and play it. Considering you don't have much choice in the matter - everyone gets a copy - there's no point in recommending it; you're going to get it whether you like it or not. Will you enjoy it? Yes, but you're sure to get extremely annoyed with your parents who will want to keep playing it, while you want to continue exploring Twilight Princess.

Features:

Tennis (1-4 players): Players grab the Wii Remote like a racket and swing – the game registers forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast the user swings and at what angle. Don’t worry about moving around the court to get to the ball – the game automatically moves players into position.

Baseball (1-2 players): Players grip the Wii Remote like a bat and swat fastballs out of the park, or fire a fastball over the plate with a flick of their wrist. Timing and bat speed will make all the difference between going yard and whiffing, so keep an eye on the ball and swing for the fences. In the two-player game, one player pitches and the other bats – all fielding and running is automatic, so that players can focus on the action.

Golf (1-4 players): Step up to the tee, hold the Wii Remote like a golf club and swing naturally to smack the ball onto the green. The harder players swing the club, the farther the ball will fly. Be careful, though – if players swing too hard, their ball will fly out of control, so they should be sure to take some practice swings before going for the pin. After reaching the green, line up putts carefully, practice the stroke and try to hole out.

Bowling (1-4 players): Players raise the Wii Remote in their hand just like a bowling ball, and then swing their arms to roll the ball. The speed of the swing and the angle at which they release the ball affects the ball’s spin, so it will take some practice to master control over the ball and knock down the pins.

Boxing (1-2 players): Using the Nunchuk controller as one glove and the Wii Remote as the other, players dodge, weave and punch their opponents. Players hold their hands high to guard their faces or low to block their torsos. They punch high to hit their opponents’ faces or low to get under their guard for a body blow. Swing both arms left or right to sidestep oncoming blows and move into position for a devastating knockout.